Victory march in Mumbai: Uddhav, Raj Thackeray celebrate Pradhan's exit
Synopsis
For the first time in years, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray stood on the same platform — not for a family event, but a political victory march. Pradhan's resignation after nationwide student protests has handed Maharashtra's divided Opposition a rare moment of unity, and they are pressing it hard, now turning their sights on police conduct during the agitation.
Key Takeaways
Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray jointly led a victory march at Vasant Desai Chowk, Shivaji Park, Mumbai on 27 July .
The march came a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister amid nationwide student protests over exam irregularities.
NCP (SP) leaders including MLA Rohit Pawar and Fahad Ahmad also participated, reflecting broad Opposition unity.
NCP (SP) leader Fahad Ahmad demanded suspension of a policeman allegedly accused of molesting a female student in Dadar and withdrawal of all cases against student protesters.
The joint appearance of the two Thackeray cousins was described as their first shared public platform in recent memory.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray jointly led a 'victory march' at Vasant Desai Chowk near Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Sunday, 27 July, one day after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union Education Minister. The resignation followed weeks of sustained nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Leaders from NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) also joined the procession, signalling broad Opposition solidarity.
What the march was about
The procession was framed by participating leaders not merely as a celebration of Pradhan's departure but as an acknowledgement of student-led democratic assertion. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai was emphatic that the movement 'was never just about seeking the resignation of a minister.' He argued that students had exposed deep structural flaws in the education system — flaws he said have persisted for years and whose consequences extend to unemployment.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant trained his attack on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying: 'There are two words in English that apply here — one is hatred, and the other is arrogance. Both describe them. They created an atmosphere of hatred in the country, and that has now been shattered.'
Youth voices at the march
MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande credited the younger generation with a lesson in civic courage: 'Gen Zs have taught the nation that you should not be afraid of the government, and that is the key takeaway from this agitation.' Young participants echoed the sentiment, with one marcher saying the movement had demonstrated that citizens could hold the government 'accountable' when their concerns went unanswered.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar drew a broader political lesson, noting that the agitation had united urban and rural youth. 'If we stand united, we can win. This has sent a very important message to the people. It is an important lesson in protecting democracy and the Constitution,' he said.
Demand for police accountability
NCP (SP) leader Fahad Ahmad raised concerns about police conduct during the protests, calling the treatment of students 'very unfortunate.' He confirmed that an officer allegedly found to have threatened to plant cocaine on protesters had already been suspended. However, Ahmad demanded that a policeman who allegedly molested a female student in Dadar also face suspension, and that all cases registered against student protesters be withdrawn. He said party representatives would meet the Mumbai Police Commissioner the following day over the matter.
Wider significance
The rare joint appearance of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray — cousins who have been political rivals for years — underscored the unifying effect the student agitation has had on Maharashtra's fragmented Opposition landscape. This is the first time in recent memory that the two Thackeray-led outfits have shared a public platform, adding symbolic weight to what began as an education-sector protest. With exam reform demands still unaddressed, Opposition leaders have signalled this march is a beginning, not a conclusion.
Point of View
And the fact that a student protest over exam paper leaks achieved what years of political negotiation could not is a telling indicator of how deeply the NDA's handling of the education crisis has unsettled even fractured Oppositions. The demand to withdraw cases against students and suspend the Dadar officer adds a concrete accountability test: if the Maharashtra government drags its feet, the Opposition has a ready-made grievance to carry into the next electoral cycle. The bigger unanswered question is whether the systemic reforms students actually demanded — not just a ministerial scalp — will now be pursued or quietly shelved.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray hold a victory march in Mumbai?
The two leaders held the march on 27 July to mark the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, which followed weeks of nationwide student protests over alleged exam irregularities. The procession at Vasant Desai Chowk near Shivaji Park also served as a show of Opposition unity, with NCP (SP) leaders joining in.
Why did Dharmendra Pradhan resign as Education Minister?
Pradhan resigned on 26 July following sustained nationwide student agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The protests drew widespread attention to what Opposition leaders described as deep structural flaws in India's education and examination system.
What did NCP (SP) leader Fahad Ahmad demand regarding police conduct?
Ahmad called for the suspension of a policeman allegedly accused of molesting a female student in Dadar during the protests, in addition to the withdrawal of all cases registered against student protesters. He noted that an officer accused of threatening to plant cocaine had already been suspended, but said that was insufficient.
What is the significance of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray appearing together?
The two cousins, who lead rival factions — Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS respectively — have been political adversaries for years. Their joint appearance at the march is widely regarded as their first shared public platform in recent memory, underscoring the unifying effect the student agitation has had on Maharashtra's Opposition.
What do Opposition leaders say the student movement achieved beyond Pradhan's resignation?
Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai, argued that the movement went beyond removing a minister by spotlighting systemic failures in the education system linked to unemployment. MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande credited 'Gen Z' protesters with demonstrating that citizens need not fear the government.
